Grocery store contract talks continue

Contract negotiations between management and the union representing workers at Giant Food and Safeway are expected to continue Tuesday, said a union spokeswoman, who added that no progress had been reported so far.

The contract between the grocery chains and the union, which represents 23,000 employees in the Baltimore-Washington region, expires March 31.

On Monday, the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 400 in Landover said five bargaining days remained to reach an agreement. Local 27 in Baltimore is also involved in the talks.

"We are still hopeful for some meaningful progress," said Breanne Armbrust, a coordinator for Local 400. Outstanding issues include wages and benefits, she said.

The grocery stores have begun recruiting temporary workers, which the companies said was standard procedure during contract negotiations.

Local 400 has scheduled events on Tuesday at three Safeway stores, in Washington, Upper Marlboro and Alexandria, Va.